Visited twice in three days – the ultimate pasta and steak of my life!

Ristorante Hostaria Il Desco is located in a less touristy alley near the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Established in 1954, it's a classic Tuscany restaurant with a menu that includes some innovative dishes. They even offer a gluten-free menu. One of the highlights is the extensive wine selection; I saw several locals choosing their bottles from the wall of wines. The interior design is modern and upscale, perfect for a fine dining experience. It's ideal for dates and, most importantly, it's not a trendy spot with aggressive marketing. You can walk in without a reservation and avoid the queues. The restaurant is frequented by many local Italian regulars, making it a hidden gem I discovered during my trip. 🥩Steak with Parsley This signature dish is the first item in their Grill section, not in the mains. It uses fillet, which is lighter than the traditional T-bone. The medium-rare cooking is perfect, with a pink center and a tender texture. The innovation lies in the seasoning, which includes a lot of parsley, garlic oil, and a hint of anchovy. The parsley adds a fresh, crunchy texture, while the anchovy brings a touch of the sea. This unique flavor combination is hard to find in other Tuscan restaurants. 🍝Sweet Shrimp Burrata with Pistachio Pesto Pasta This is the most complex and delicious pasta I've ever had. The spaghetti is perfectly al dente. The pistachio pesto has a rich nutty aroma, with whole pistachios and pistachio crumbs mixed in, which perfectly coat the pasta. The burrata adds a fresh milky flavor, and the combination with the pesto is not greasy at all. The sweet shrimp sashimi on top is very fresh and blends well with the pasta sauce. Additionally, there's a small bowl of pecorino cheese shavings that you can sprinkle on for extra saltiness and the unique flavor and texture of aged cheese. I highly recommend this dish. ☕️Tiramisu** I haven't had a bad tiramisu in Italy, and this one is no exception. It has a low sweetness level, with the perfect ratio of ladyfingers to cheese. The coffee flavor is strong, and their coffee is also good to pair with it. There was a pink-haired waitress who was very friendly andThey were very hospitable and spoke excellent English. There was no problem with communication.。Florence is full of surprises. It seems that when traveling, one doesn't need to overplan. Most randomly chosen restaurants won't disappoint. However, I do hope this place becomes more popular. #ItalianCuisine #Pasta #FlorenceTravel #FlorenceFood